IRS looking to get rid of unclaimed tax return checks

While the IRS is typically known for taking taxpayers' money,
the agency is looking to dole out refund dollars. Nationwide, more
than 95,000 taxpayers are owed about $92 million in tax refunds,
local IRS spokesman, Raphael Tulino, told The San Diego
Union-Tribune. In San Diego County alone, 1,384 taxpayers are due
$1.17 million, making each check on average almost $850.

"Please come and get a Christmas gift," Tulino said.

The bulk of the nation's unclaimed checks are from 2005 tax-year
returns filed this year, but some of that total could be from
previous years. The IRS holds on to the refunds indefinitely, until
they are claimed, Tulino said.

Often, people move - including students or newlyweds - without
first supplying new addresses, he told the Union-Tribune.

Some people will get their refunds when they file their returns
for this year and are matched to their new address, Tulino told the
newspaper.

People can contact the IRS by calling (800) 829-1040 to ask if a
refund is due, or by visiting www.IRS.gov and going to the "Where's
My Refund?" page. The change-of-address form also can be printed
from the Web site.